Sheriffs take down narcotics ring

By: Staff Report - Updated: 8 months ago

Posted Mar 17, 2018

Five suspects still on the run

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY—On March 15, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s office held a press conference to announce a narcotics drug ring bust. Five suspects, including the new ringleader, have warrants out for their arrest.

The investigation began in November of 2016 when members of the Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit shut down a major drug network operating in San Luis Obispo County. This drug ring was dealing with methamphetamine and heroin and the narcotics seized had an estimated street value of $850,000. A total of 63 pounds of methamphetamine and three pounds of heroin were seized.

The investigation by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit also identified another location in the greater Los Angeles area that was involved with the local distribution network. A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department task force later conducted an investigation that led to a seizure of almost 28 pounds of cocaine with a street value of approximately $500,000 from that address in Los Angeles County.

The investigation began with the arrest of Jaime Vega in November of 2016. Vega was thought to have been the ringleader of the organization in San Luis Obispo County at the time. Intelligence, in that case, led to a drug trafficking organization in Mexico which had multiple cells operating throughout the U.S.

Once Vega was arrested, investigators believe Enrique Garcia took over the leadership of the organization. In April of 2017, two members of the organization, Jesus Corona Farias, and Adrian Contreras Aguilar were stopped and arrested in San Bernardino County with 13 pounds of methamphetamine. At that time, investigators believe Garcia fled to Mexico. Garcia’s girlfriend, Gabriela Bucio is believed to have taken over control of the organization. Warrants for both Garcia and Bucio have been issued.

As a result of the Sheriff’s Office investigation, 14 people have charges of narcotics distribution filed against them. Five, including Garcia and Bucio, have warrants for their arrest.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted in the investigation by members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), District Attorney’s Office, Probation Department, CHP, Homeland Security Investigations, LA Impact, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the Glendale Police Department.